Fitz-Gerald wins 10th national title
Kerim Fitz-Gerald from the Red Bull KTM team was crowned MX2 champion.
KERIM Fitz-Gerald from the Red Bull KTM team was crowned MX2 champion when the National Motocross season wrapped up at Terra Topia.
For Fitz-Gerald, a motocross legend, it was also a race where he held off some of South Africa’s finest rising talent to snatch up the 10th national title of his career.
The past few seasons have been quiet for Fitz-Gerald by his own high standards with his last national title dating back to 2016.
If there was any rider capable of surprising his rivals with an epic comeback, however, it was always going to be the multiple national champion.
“Just like that, the 2019 season has come and gone. It’s been a fun year racing and being a new dad.
“Thank you to my team for all the effort and making sure I had everything I need and more. All that’s left to say now is – 2020, we’re coming,” said Fitz-Gerald.
The final round of the series may not have panned out like teammate Joshua Mlimi had hoped for, but the rider will be pleased with a third place in the MX2 Championship overall.
After multiple podium finishes and a victory this season, it was the most successful year that Mlimi has experienced in the MX2 Class yet.
Adding to the celebrations in the orange camp was a win in the High School Class from rising motocross star Camden McLellan.
The 14-year-old rider from Germiston made history when he swept up the 2018 FIM European Championship.
As the first South African rider to have ever claimed a European Championship title, his pursuits internationally was his top priority this year.
“Unfortunately, I was only in South Africa for three national motocross races as I was overseas for most of the year. It’s so good to be home racing with my team, so I always make the most of the time I get to compete here,” said McLellan.
It was a rather dramatic end to the season for Red Bull KTM’s Tristan Purdon who went into the last round of the championship as the MX1 point’s leader.
After a crash in the first moto, Purdon took his place at the start line for the second heat tied for points with championship rival Matthew Malan. Purdon was charging and pressurising Malan, who took a tumble, resulting in Purdon taking over the race lead on his KTM 450 SX-F.
